eMedicine Specialties > Hematology > Red Blood Cells and Disorders

Agranulocytosis

Ariel Distenfeld, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine

Updated: Dec 11, 2008

Introduction

Background

Agranulocytosis is characterized by a greatly decreased number of circulating neutrophils. Severe neutropenia is the term usually applied to patients with fewer than 500 neutrophils per microliter (μL) (including bands). Agranulocytosis usually refers to patients with fewer than 100 neutrophils/μL.^1,2,3,4

The reduced number of neutrophils makes patients extremely vulnerable to infection.^1,5 Cardinal symptoms include fever, sepsis, and other manifestations of infection. Causes can include drugs, chemicals, infective agents, ionizing radiation, immune mechanisms, and heritable genetic aberrations.

This article is limited to discussing agranulocytosis (absolute neutrophil count [ANC] of <100/µL).The transient neutropenia associated with cancer chemotherapy is not included in this discussion, nor is agranulocytosis occurring as part of general marrow-failure syndromes (eg, aplastic anemia, pancytopenia).

Pathophysiology

Agranulocytosis may be broadly divided into 2 groups: hereditary disease due to genetic mutations and acquired disease.

Hereditary disease due to genetic mutations

Many hereditary disorders are due to mutations in the gene encoding neutrophil elastase, or ELA2. Several alleles are involved. The most common mutations are intronic substitutions that inactivate a splice site in intron 4. Genes other than ELA2 are also involved.

The table below summarizes the genetic conditions; these are uncommon conditions. A strong family history of recurrent infections, usually beginning in childhood, is strongly indicative of a genetic defect.

Genetic Conditions in Agranulocytosis⁶

Source: Modified from Berliner et al, 2004.⁶

AML = acute myeloid leukemia; G-CSF = granulocyte colony-stimulating factor; MDS = myelodysplastic syndrome.

Acquired disease

Acquired agranulocytic disease may be due to drugs, chemicals, autoimmunity, infectious agents, or other causes.

Bone marrow and peripheral blood are the organ systems affected. Agranulocytosis is characterized by inadequate production of neutrophils, excessive destruction of neutrophils, or both. The resulting infections tend to involve the oral cavity, mucous membranes, and skin. Systemic life-threatening sepsis may ensue. The most common infecting organisms are staphylococci, streptococci, gram-negative organisms, and anaerobes. Fungi are also commonly involved as secondary infective agents.

The occurrence of infection depends on the degree and duration of neutropenia. When the ANC is persistently fewer than 100/µL for longer than 3-4 weeks, the incidence of infection approaches 100%.

Frequency

United States

The exact frequency of agranulocytosis is unknown.

International

The estimated frequency of agranulocytosis is 1.0-3.4 cases per million population per year.

Mortality/Morbidity

• If agranulocytosis is untreated, the risk of dying is high. Death results from uncontrolled sepsis.
• If the condition can be reversed with treatment, the risk of dying is low. Antibiotic and antifungal medications can cure the infection if the ANC rises.
• Morbidity is entirely due to infections that complicate agranulocytosis. The infections may be superficial, involving mainly the oral mucosa, gums, skin, and sinuses, or they may be systemic, with life-threatening septicemia.

Race

Agranulocytosis has no racial predilection.

Sex

Agranulocytosis occurs slightly more frequently in women than in men, possibly because of their increased rate of medication usage. Whether this higher frequency is related to the increased incidence of autoimmune disease in women is unknown.

Age

• Agranulocytosis occurs in all age groups.
• The congenital forms are most common in childhood.
• Acquired agranulocytosis is most common in the elderly population.⁷

Clinical

History

• Patients with agranulocytosis usually present with the following:
  • Sudden onset of malaise
  • Sudden onset of fever, possibly with chills and prostration
  • Stomatitis and periodontitis accompanied by pain
  • Pharyngitis, with difficulty in swallowing
• If treatment is not promptly instituted, the infection progresses to generalized sepsis, which may become life threatening.
• The most commonly involved organisms are from endogenous flora.
  • Staphylococcus aureus organisms are found in cases of skin infections.
  • Gram-negative organisms are observed in infections of the urinary and gastrointestinal tracts, particularly Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas species. Candida albicans infections may also occur.
  • Mixed flora may be found in the oral cavity.
• Patients often report a history of a new drug being used or a recent change in medication. However, the offending medication may no longer be in use; therefore, the inquiry should extend back for some time.
• Occupational or accidental exposure to chemicals or physical agents (eg, ionizing radiation) may have occurred.^8,9
• The patient may have experienced a recent viral infection, although such infections are rarely associated with severe neutropenia. Certain bacterial infections may also precede agranulocytosis.
• A history of periodically recurring infections is suggestive of cyclic neutropenia.
• A history of autoimmune diseases may be associated with antineutrophil antibodies. Such antibodies may also be the only manifestation of autoimmune disease. A number of test methods are available, but none is widely used.
• Primary immune neutropenia is uncommon.
• Secondary immune neutropenia may be associated with systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Felty syndrome.^10,11,12
• A strong family history of recurrent infections, usually beginning in childhood, is strongly indicative of a genetic defect.

Physical

• Fever may be present (temperature often 40 º C or higher).
• Rapid pulse and respiration may be evident.
• Hypotension and signs of septic shock if infection has been present
• Painful aphthous ulcers may be found in the oral cavity.
• Swollen and tender gums may be present.
• Usually, purulent discharge is not present, because not enough neutrophils exist to form pus.
• Skin infections are associated with painful swelling, but erythema and suppuration are usually absent.

Causes

• The most common cause of agranulocytosis is exposure to drugs or chemicals. About one half of patients have a history of medication or chemical exposure. The patient's history must be carefully taken to elicit this information.
  • Any chemical or drug that can depress the bone marrow and cause hypoplasia or aplasia is capable of causing agranulocytosis. Some drugs do this to everyone if they are administered in large enough doses. Other agents seem to cause idiosyncratic reactions that affect only certain susceptible individuals.
  • The mechanisms that cause neutropenia are not completely understood. In many cases, neutropenia occurs after prolonged exposure, resulting in decreased neutrophil production by hypoplastic bone marrow. In other cases, repeated but intermittent exposure is needed. This suggests an immune mechanism, although this idea has not been proven.
  • A drug may act as a hapten and induce antibody formation. This mechanism operates in cases due to gold, aminopyrine, and antithyroid drugs. The antibodies destroy the granulocytes and may not require the continued presence of the drug for their action. As an alternative, the drug may form immune complexes that attach to the neutrophils. This mechanism operates with quinidine.
  • Another mechanism is direct inhibition of myelopoiesis. Valproic acid, carbamazepine, and beta-lactam antibiotics act by this mechanism. In bone marrow cultures, these agents inhibit granulocyte colony formation in a dose-related fashion.
  • Direct damage to the bone-marrow microenvironment or myeloid precursors plays a role in most other cases.
• Many drugs associated with agranulocytosis have been reported to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under its adverse reactions reporting requirement. Many agents are also reported to a registry maintained by the American Medical Association (AMA). The reported drugs were used alone, in combination with another drug known to be potentially toxic, or with another drug without known toxicity. Several drugs are salient because of their high frequency of association with agranulocytosis. They include the following:
  • Phenothiazine
  • Antithyroid drugs (thiouracil and propylthiouracil)
  • Aminopyrine
  • Phenylbutazone
  • Chloramphenicol
  • Sulfonamides
• Drugs reported to be associated with agranulocytosis include the following:
  • Analgesics
    • Acetaminophen
    • Aminopyrine
    • Dipyrone
  • Cardiovascular drugs
    • Captopril
    • Hydralazine
    • Methyldopa
    • Pindolol
    • Procainamide
    • Propranolol
    • Quinidine
  • Antibiotics
    • Cephalosporins
    • Clindamycin
    • Chloramphenicol
    • Doxycycline
    • Gentamicin
    • Griseofulvin
    • Isoniazid
    • Metronidazole
    • Nitrofurantoin
    • Penicillins
    • Rifampin
    • Streptomycin
    • Sulfonamides
    • Vancomycin
  • Diuretics
    • Acetazolamide
    • Bumetanide
    • Chlorothiazide
    • Hydrochlorothiazide
    • Chlorthalidone
    • Methazolamide
    • Spironolactone
  • Anticonvulsants
    • Carbamazepine
    • Mephenytoin
    • Phenytoin
    • Primidone
    • Trimethadione
  • Hypoglycemic agents
    • Chlorpropamide
    • Tolbutamide
  • Antihistamines
    • Brompheniramine
    • Cimetidine
    • Tripelennamine
    • Ranitidine
    • Thenalidine
  • Phenothiazines
    • Chlorpromazine
    • Clozapine
    • Desipramine
    • Prochlorperazine
    • Promazine
    • Thioridazine
    • Trifluoperazine
    • Trimeprazine
  • Anti-inflammatory drugs
    • Fenoprofen
    • Gold salts
    • Ibuprofen
    • Indomethacin
    • Phenylbutazone
  • Neuropharmacologic agents
    • Chlordiazepoxide
    • Clozapine
    • Desipramine
    • Meprobamate
    • Metoclopramide
    • Prochlorperazine
    • Promazine
  • Antimalarials
    • Amodiaquine
    • Dapsone
    • Hydroxychloroquine
    • Pyrimethamine
    • Quinine
  • Miscellaneous drugs
    • Allopurinol
    • Colchicine
    • D-Penicillamine
    • Ethanol
    • Levamisole
    • Levodopa
  • Antithyroid agents
    • Carbimazole
    • Methylthiouracil
    • Propylthiouracil
• Viral infections often lead to mild or moderate neutropenia. Agranulocytosis is uncommon but may occur. The most common organisms are Epstein-Barr virus, hepatitis B virus, yellow fever virus, cytomegalovirus, and influenza.
• Many overwhelming infections, both viral and bacterial, may cause severe neutropenia.
• Autoimmune neutropenia is the neutrophil analogue of autoimmune hemolytic anemia and of idiopathic thrombocytopenic neutropenia. It should be considered in the absence of any of the common causes. Antineutrophil antibodies have been demonstrated in these patients.
• Cyclic neutropenia is characterized by periodic bouts of agranulocytosis associated with infection.
  • Cyclic neutropenia has a periodicity of about 21 days (range, 12-35 d).
  • Granulocyte precursors disappear from the marrow before each neutrophil nadir in the cycle because of accelerated apoptosis of myeloid progenitor cells.¹³
  • Some cases may be genetically determined with an autosomal recessive inheritance. Other cases may be due to an autosomal dominant inheritance.
• Several uncommon causes of severe neutropenia include Kostmann syndrome, chronic severe neutropenia, and myelokathexis.
  • Kostmann syndrome (severe congenital neutropenia) is most often caused by a recessive inheritance and found in remote, isolated populations with a high degree of consanguinity. Autosomal dominant and sporadic cases have also been reported, most often due to mutations in the G-CSF receptor. A risk of conversion to MDS/AML with monosomy 7 exists after treatment with G-CSF.
  • Chronic severe neutropenia has an underlying unknown cause.
  • Myelokathexis occurs in early infancy and is associated with recurrent infections. The condition is due to accelerated apoptosis and decreased expression of bcl-x in neutrophil precursors.

Differential Diagnoses

Myelodysplastic Syndrome

Other Problems to Be Considered

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia
AML
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
Large granular lymphocyte leukemia
Shwachman-Diamond syndrome

Workup

Laboratory Studies

• Perform a complete blood cell (CBC), including a manual differential in evaluating cases of agranulocytosis. Careful evaluation of the peripheral blood smear provides information about red blood cell (RBC) and platelet morphology.
• Examine bone marrow smears and biopsy samples with techniques including flow cytometry.
• Microbiologic cultures of blood, wounds, and body fluids are indicated in febrile patients.
• Tests for antineutrophil antibodies should be performed in patients with a history suggestive of autoimmune neutropenia and in those with no other obvious explanation for the agranulocytosis.
• In congenital neutropenia and cyclic neutropenia, genetic analysis should be done to correctly classify the condition.

Imaging Studies

• No specific imaging study establishes the diagnosis of agranulocytosis.
• As part of the workup for localization of infection, appropriate radiographs (eg, chest images) are indicated.
• Other imaging studies are determined by the specific circumstances of each case.

Procedures

• Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy

Histologic Findings

• The peripheral blood smear shows a marked decrease or absence of neutrophils.
• The bone marrow may show myeloid hypoplasia or absence of myeloid precursors.
• In many cases, the bone marrow is cellular with a maturation arrest at the promyelocyte stage.
• On occasion, the marrow may be hypercellular.

Treatment

Medical Care

Medical care is based on the etiology of the agranulocytosis. In most cases in which drug exposure is involved, the most important step is to discontinue the offending agent. If the identity of the causative agent is not known, stop administration of all drugs until the etiology is established.

• Start specific antibiotic therapy to combat infections. This often involves the use of third-generation cephalosporins or equivalents.
• Treat areas of stomatitis and skin infections with local cleaning, antisepsis, and dental care. These infections should be managed by someone who has experience in the treatment of infections in neutropenic patients.
• Control oral and gingival lesion pain with saline and hydrogen peroxide rinses and local anesthetic gels and gargles.
• The availability of the recombinant neutrophil cytokine, filgrastim (ie, G-CSF), has altered the management of agranulocytosis.
  • When administered before infection is established, filgrastim shortens the period to recovery and the duration of infection.
  • The agent is especially indicated in the management of congenital neutropenia, idiopathic severe chronic neutropenia, and cyclic neutropenia when serious infections are involved.
  • If the condition is mild, with only neutropenia without a serious infection, filgrastim may be withheld.
• Granulocyte transfusions have undergone a cycle of popularity followed by disfavor, although they may be useful in patients with life-threatening infections whose conditions are not responding to antibiotics.
  • These transfusions are accompanied by many complications, including severe febrile reactions.
  • The use of granulocyte transfusions remains controversial.
• In cases caused by heavy metals such as gold, chelation with British anti-Lewisite (dimercaprol) may be needed.

Surgical Care

• Surgical care is generally not indicated for patients with agranulocytosis.
• Systemic lupus associated with autoimmune agranulocytosis may respond to splenectomy.¹¹
• Splenectomy has also been used in Felty syndrome, but the response is often short lived.

Consultations

• Patients with agranulocytosis are seriously ill, and several consultations are indicated.
• A hematologist reviews the bone-marrow slides and peripheral blood smears to confirm the diagnosis and to assist in G-CSF dosing and evaluation.
• An infectious disease specialist advises and assists in the selection of appropriate antibiotics.

Diet

• All foods must be thoroughly cooked. Raw fruits and vegetables may contain large numbers of bacteria and should be avoided.
• In patients with periodontitis and stomatitis, a soft or full liquid diet is indicated. Spicy and acidic foods should be avoided until recovery is complete.

Activity

Patient activity is permitted as tolerated.

Medication

Antibiotics are used to treat infections. The antibiotics of choice are those shown by culture and sensitivity studies to be the most effective for the organism causing the infection. If no causative organism is identified, use empirical broad-spectrum antibiotic coverage. Granulocyte growth factors and general supportive care should also be provided. Cytokines (growth factors) are used to stimulate production of neutrophils by acting on precursor cells.

Colony-Stimulating Factors

Colony-stimulating factors are used to stimulate production of neutrophils by acting on precursor cells.

Filgrastim (Neupogen)

A human G-CSF produced by recombinant DNA technology. Glycoprotein acts on hematopoietic cells in a lineage-specific fashion. Stimulates proliferation, differentiation, and some end-cell functional activation.

Dosing

Adult

5 mcg/kg SC qd; titrate to effect; continue until ANC = 1000/µL; continuous administration may be required for chronic conditions

Pediatric

Administer as in adults.

Interactions

Do not use 12-24 h before or 24 h after cytotoxic chemotherapy (increases the sensitivity of rapidly dividing myeloid cells to cytotoxic chemotherapy).

Contraindications

Documented hypersensitivity to drug or proteins derived from E coli

Precautions

Pregnancy

C - Fetal risk revealed in studies in animals but not established or not studied in humans; may use if benefits outweigh risk to fetus

Precautions

MDS or AML in certain patients; leukocytosis; possible tumor growth; confirm the diagnosis before use; allergic reactions may occur, but they are not common; bone pain observed in 24% of patients, but it is usually controlled with mild, nonopiate analgesics

Pegfilgrastim (Neulasta)

Long-acting filgrastim created by the covalent conjugate of recombinant G-CSF (ie, filgrastim) and monomethoxypolyethylene glycol. As with filgrastim, acts on hematopoietic cells by binding to specific cell-surface receptors, activating and stimulating production, maturation, migration, and cytotoxicity of neutrophils.

Dosing

Adult

6 mg SC once

Pediatric

<45 kg: Not established

>45 kg: Administer as in adults.

Interactions

Do not administer between 14 d before and 24 h after cytotoxic chemotherapy or irradiation (increases the sensitivity of rapidly dividing myeloid cells to cytotoxic chemotherapy); lithium may potentiate the release of neutrophils.

Contraindications

Documented hypersensitivity to E coli –derived proteins‚ PEG, or filgrastim

Precautions

Pregnancy

C - Fetal risk revealed in studies in animals but not established or not studied in humans; may use if benefits outweigh risk to fetus

Precautions

Splenic rupture is reported rarely; ARDS secondary to the influx of neutrophils to sites of inflammation in lungs may occur; may precipitate sickle cell crisis; may cause bone pain; risk of MDS or AML in certain patients; leukocytosis; possible tumor growth

Follow-up

Further Inpatient Care

• If septic shock occurs, move the patient to the intensive care unit (ICU).
• Intubation may be required.

Further Outpatient Care

• Observation and CBC monitoring at increasing intervals of patients with agranulocytosis after recovery

Transfer

• If septic shock occurs, the patient should be transferred to the ICU.

Deterrence/Prevention

• Caution patients to avoid any drug that was previously implicated in causing them agranulocytosis.
• When prescribing new drugs to a patient with a history of a relatively high incidence of associated agranulocytosis, frequently obtain CBCs in the initial period.
  • The exact frequency depends on the specific drug and the time course of neutropenia association.
  • At the first sign of a drop in the ANC, the drug should be discontinued.

Complications

• A metastatic abscess formation may result from infections, even if the infection was successfully resolved.

Prognosis

• If treated promptly and vigorously, patients with drug-induced agranulocytosis have a good prognosis.
• Agranulocytosis secondary to viral infections is usually self-limited, and patients with such conditions have a good prognosis.

Patient Education

• Patients should be educated to avoid drugs that have caused them agranulocytosis.
• Patients should be educated about the importance of follow-up CBC testing when a new drug with a high propensity to cause neutropenia is introduced.
• In the workplace, people must be educated to follow regulations from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) that cover safety precautions when they deal with toxic substances.

Miscellaneous

Medicolegal Pitfalls

• Failure to appropriately monitor blood cell counts
• Failure to administer appropriate antibiotics
• Failure to diagnose leukemia or other life-threatening diseases that may have a similar presentation

Special Concerns

• Obtain a detailed history in patients with agranulocytosis, with particular emphasis on medication use. The inquiry must extend back in time to include discontinued medications.
• Over-the-counter drugs must be included in the inquiry, because patients often do not consider these agents to be medications.
• Any possible occupational or accidental exposure to toxic chemicals or physical agents must be excluded.
• Agranulocytosis should be differentiated from other syndromes of bone-marrow failure, including pancytopenia and aplastic anemia. Leukemia should be excluded.

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Keywords

agranulocytosis, granulocytopenia, neutropenia, neutrophils, absolute neutrophil count, ANC, stomatitis, periodontitis, pharyngitis, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, idiopathic thrombocytopenic neutropenia, Kostmann syndrome, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, G-CSF, ELA2

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Ariel Distenfeld, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine
Ariel Distenfeld, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine, American Medical Association, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Hematology, International Society of Blood Transfusion, International Society of Hematology, Medical Society of the State of New York, and New York Academy of Sciences
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Karen Seiter, MD, Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Oncology/Hematology, New York Medical College
Karen Seiter, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for Cancer Research, American College of Physicians, and American Society of Hematology
Disclosure: Novartis Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Schering Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Cephalon Honoraria Speaking and teaching

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: eMedicine Salary Employment

Managing Editor

Troy H Guthrie, Jr, MD, Director of Cancer Institute, Baptist Medical Center
Troy H Guthrie, Jr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Federation for Medical Research, American Medical Association, American Society of Hematology, Florida Medical Association, Medical Association of Georgia, and Southern Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Rajalaxmi McKenna, MD, FACP, Southwest Medical Consultants, SC, Department of Medicine, Good Samaritan Hospital, Advocate Health Systems
Rajalaxmi McKenna, MD, FACP is a member of the following medical societies: American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Hematology, and International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Emmanuel C Besa, MD, Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematologic Malignancies, Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University
Emmanuel C Besa, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for Cancer Education, American College of Clinical Pharmacology, American Federation for Medical Research, American Society of Hematology, and New York Academy of Sciences
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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